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Marketplace PM for March 6, 2006

AT&amp;T has agreed to buy BellSouth for $67 billion in stock. The deal reunites much of the old Ma Bell monopoly that was split up by regulators in the 1980s. Will the new telecom giant mean higher rates for consumers? Amy Scott finds out.

Universities that accept federal money must allow military recruiters on their campuses, according to a Supreme Court decision today. Some law schools had challenged the right of the campus visits, arguing that the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays violates free speech. John Dimsdale has the story.

China has decided to abandon virtually all numerical economic targets from its planning system. For decades, the country's five-year economic plans have been based on stringent targets. Now the government wants to spend more on social programs and the environment. Sam Eaton has the story.

Three 6 Mafia won Best Song Oscar last night for their tune "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp." The rappers are the second hip hop artists to win an Oscar; Eminem was the first. So what kind of street credibility is the award worth? Tess Vigeland has the story.

The Governor of South Dakota signed a law today banning virtually all abortions in the state. Curt Nickisch reports on the private donations that are pouring into the state in anticipation of its legal fight with the US Supreme Court.

The International Atomic Energy Agency meets today to discuss sanctions on Iran. The agency will decide whether to call on the UN Security Council to punish Iran for its nuclear activity, but there may be room for a compromise. Stephen Beard reports from London.

The dotcom bubble affected more than just California's Silicon Valley. The booming and busting left its imprint on communities across the country, including Austin. Reporter Larry Schooler files from the Texas capital, where mass transit and labor relations have been strained as economic forecasts haven't come to fruition.

Even though GM and Ford are having trouble here in the US, their high-priced foreign brands are doing very well -- including Aston Martin, now owned by Ford. LA Times car critic Dan Neil recently drove the new Aston Martin and tells Kai what the big car makers can learn from their boutique brands.